Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

I very much enjoyed and appreciated the editorial comments Mr. Dolson made in the April 3, issue of The Nugget.

The brief review of some of history's stepping stones was helpful. A similar review I heard on NPR (last) weekend focused primarily on the political developments of the concept of "mandates" dating back to World War One, which led to the creation of the Trans-Jordan area.

In these byte-sized moments of newscasting we need to be reminded of the paths our world has followed to get where we all now stand.

I find it interesting that you assigned no blame, but chose to merely point out where we are: at the edge of a terrible abyss between those who reject change, and those who embrace it. You identified the essential need: true individual liberty, yet you failed to hold out hope that any positive changes might occur.

That lack of hope must be what truly feeds oppressed peoples the world over. We must think anew about the role and purpose of the United Nations. We're not very united, but we're sure all stuck on the same world. We'd better start doing something more about managing that.

Sincerely yours,

Robert D. Rossio

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To the Editor:

Ms. Gager, in her criticism of Gail McCauley, made allusion to inaccuracies. Ms. Gager, do your homework.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism did not issue a new Torah, the Etz Hayim, but it is instead a commentary on the Torah.

Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, Executive Vice President of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, submitted a response to the New York Times regarding the article, "New Torah For Modern Minds" by Michael Massing (NYT, March 9), which is quoted in part, "The review of Etz Hayim, the new Torah Commentary published by the Conservative Movement, is so misleading in both its headlines and its focus that it borders on being insulting to any student of the Bible.

"Michael Massing, a freelance author, bases his article on material and perspectives that have been broadly accepted by non-Orthodox Jewry for more than half a century. By quoting only from selected passages chosen to sensationalize rather than to constructively illuminate, Mr. Massing opines rather than reports on this significant publication. By stressing a single issue, archeology, and a relatively minor one at that considering the scope of the Commentary, the author misrepresents both the approach and the value of Etz Hayim."

As to the 1956 and 1967 conflicts, yes, Israel struck first.

In 1956, Egypt seized the Suez Canal and blocked Israel's access to the Red Sea. In coordination with Britain and France, Israel attacked. In response to these developments, the Soviet Union, which at the time was ruthlessly suppressing an anti-Communist uprising in Hungary, threatened to intervene on Egypt's behalf.

President Eisenhower of the United States pressured Britain, France and Israel into agreeing to a cease-fire and eventual withdrawal from Egypt. The United States, caught by surprise by the dual invasions, was more concerned with the Soviet war in Hungary and the Cold War than with Britain and France's dealings involving Suez. The last thing President Eisenhower wanted was a wider war over Suez. (The History Guy)

On April 6, 1967, Israeli jet fighters shot down six Syrian planes over the Golan Heights, which fed to a further escalation of Israeli-Syrian tensions. The Soviet Union, wanting to involve Egypt as a deterrent to an Israeli initiative against Syria, misinformed Nasser on May 13 that the Israelis were planning to attack Syria on May 17 and that they had already concentrated 11 to 13 brigades on the Syrian border for this purpose.

In response Nasser put his armed forces in a state of maximum alert, sent combat troops into Sinai, notified UN Secretary General U Thant of his decision "to terminate the existence of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) on United Arab Republic (WAR) soil and in the Gaza Strip," and announced the closure of the Strait of Tiran. (Army Area Handbook).

Israel again was cut off from shipping access to the Red Sea, and could not, through diplomatic efforts, get Nassar to withdraw his troops.

On May 30, 1967, Jordan joined the Egyptian-Syrian military alliance of 1966 and placed its army on both sides of the Jordan River under Egyptian command. Iraq followed suit. It agreed to send reinforcement and issued a warning order to two brigades. Contingents arrived from other Arab countries including Algeria and Kuwait. Israel was confronted by an Arab force of some 465,000 troops, over 2,880 tanks and 810 aircraft.

Was Israel justified in striking preemptively? I think so.

Ms. Gager, if you are going to be an advocate for those who oppose Israel, tell the whole story.

Gordon Golden

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To the Editor.

Responding to the issue of archaeology and the Bible: Contrary to statements presented by Ms. Gager, (The Nugget, April 10, Letters to the Editor) the "facts" actually support the authenticity of the Bible down to minute details.

Look at Jericho. In the 1930s an extensive dig was conducted by British archaeologist John Garstang who reported: "In a word, in all material details and in date, the fall of Jericho took place as described in the Biblical narrative...about 1400 BC."

In the 1950s archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon placed the date around 1550 BC (before the Biblical date of conquest). This is where the controversy originated. Kenyon died before publishing her findings.

Archaeologist Bryant Wood was given the responsibility of reviewing Kenyon's findings and determined her date was incorrect. Carbon dating of charcoal from the remains of Jericho yielded a date of 1410 BC. Egyptian amulets found bore the names of Pharaohs ruling from 1500-1380s BC, and pottery found bore a style from 1450-1400 BC.

The details are amazing. Six foot thick by 20-plus-foot high walls were built upon a 12-plus-foot high retaining wall. Further up the mound was a second wall whose base stood 46 feet above the outside ground level. Great stores of grain remained that were not plundered. The brick walls fell in such a way that they provided a ramp to gain entrance. On the north end, houses were built against a section of the wall. The wall above one of these homes did not fall! The city was burned after the walls fell.

The full jars of grain bear testimony to Jericho preparing for a siege (that did not last long) and the obedience of the Israelites in not plundering the spoils. Rahab's household was spared. The Israelites entered straight up into the city, etc. Read Joshua Chapter 6 and see how specific the evidence is.

Time magazine (March 5, 1990) applauds the evidence as confirming the Bible. Bryant Wood said, "I know of no finding in archaeology that's properly confirmed which is in opposition to the Scriptures. The Bible is the most accurate history text the world has ever seen."

This is but one example. The inspiration, accuracy and authority of the Bible is authenticated in numerous ways. It has stood and always will stand the test of time and scrutiny. "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." Psalm 119:160

Cynthia Gardner

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To the Editor:

As residents of Sage Meadow, we would like to thank Felix and Mary Ann Hammack for their generous gift of the Meadow to the Sage Meadow Homeowners Association.

The 32 acre open-area is a beautiful adjunct to our Association. With their donation, they have insured that this pristine setting will remain a permanent part of our environment.

The Hammacks have given each homeowner an opportunity to express a tangible "thank you" through a donation to one of five specified charities. We encourage all homeowners to make a donation in the name of the Sage Meadow Fund.

The Hammacks' action is an exemplary model of generosity. We too have the opportunity to be generous to others. Please exercise this option.

Bill and Jane Moore

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To the Editor:

I've read with continued interest The Nugget's reports of the effort to establish a community-wide trail system.

Most recently I was owner-publisher of a weekly newspaper, the Methow Valley News, in a beautiful area of the upper Columbia basin near the Canadian border.

From firsthand experience, a trail system can be a tremendous community asset. Trails attract tourists, support property values and create community pride. The Methow Valley trail system, operated by a nonprofit organization, provides recreation opportunities for Nordic skiing, bicycling, hiking and horseback riding depending on the time of year.

Separately, the snowmobile club maintains an extensive trail system. In winter the tracked and groomed ski trail network is more than 200 kilometers, making it the third largest behind Royal Gorge in the Tahoe Basin and the Canmore, BC system.

In the next few months I will be spending more time in the Sisters area and my daughter will be a middle school student in the fall. It's my hope that the Sisters community trails effort will maintain its momentum. Anyone interested in how a successful trails system works might visit the Methow Valley News web site at methowvalleynews.com, and click the link to MVSTA.

Thank you,

Lee Hicks, Seattle

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To the Editor:

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District thanks the community-at-large and, in particular, our local business owners and managers for your support of our department and our annual awards banquet of April 12.

Thanks to you, we had an unprecedented number of donations of merchandise and gift certificates that were used as door prizes.

Most of our staff and volunteers went home with tangible evidence of your generosity and good will, and all in attendance were touched by your caring nature.

We also thank the Sisters Community Church for allowing us to have our event in their great facility.

Special thanks go to Steve Gardner, Kitty Kinzer, the King's Daughters and other people from the church and the community who helped make this a memorable affair.

We are all blessed by God to live in a community where we care for one another.

John Gerke

Volunteer, Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD

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To the Editor:

The Kiwanis Club of Sisters would like to express thanks to the community for its continued support of the Food Bank. Even though demand increases each year, we are able provide an adequate food supply to our clients due in large measure to the generosity of the people in our area.

Special thanks are directed to Hoodoo Ski Area for hosting a second successful "Ski for Food" day and to the pastor and members of the Sisters Community Church for their ongoing support. Recent donations from these two organizations provided an estimated 3,000 pounds of canned food.

The Food Bank, which is located on the corner of Main Avenue and Oak Street, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any needy individual or family is welcome to apply for assistance. For more information call 549-4112.

Bob Walter

Kiwanis Food Bank

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To the Editor:

We should observe a little-known anniversary this Thursday.

Sixty years ago, April 18, 1942, the unequaled American aviator Jimmy Doolittle led a squad of 80 brave men. They flew medium range B-25 bombers off an aircraft carrier, a first and daring feat in itself. They also knew they would run out of fuel that night and have to either crash land or parachute.

Doolittle's Raiders flew right into the invincible capital city of Tokyo and bombed key military targets, and withdrew avoiding enemy fire. The psychological effects of this amazing operation cannot be over-stated and are particularly poignant given our current war against terrorism.

The successful and epic air strike, defining the term "against all odds," was an incredible boost for American and Allied moral, just when it seemed the world was collapsing. The devastating blow to the enemy's sense of superiority is considered the beginning of the end of Japan's quest for the world.

It was costly.

Two of the 80 men died in a crash landing leaving Tokyo. Nine were captured, tortured and imprisoned. Three were executed and two died of malnutrition. At war's end, after three years, four months and one week in prison, most in solitary confinement, four men came home. Three of the four prisoners are living. One lives in Salem, Oregon. I had the honor of thanking them all.

All of these incredible men volunteered, risked all and gave their all for their generation and future generations. The majority of us, not alive during their bravest hours, are that future generation. These men saved all that is good and comfortable in America for us. It is what we fight for in today's war.

Perhaps we can never fully repay the Doolittle crews for all they have done for us. This Thursday we should go out of our way to offer our gratitude. At the least, we should never forget them.

David Banks